I am considering piercing my breasts. I have inverted nipples however and I am wondering if you feel this would prevent a successful piercing for me. Previously, I had a sternum piercing which rejected. I currently have a VCH, which is still healing. I assume I must be a slow healer since the VCH was done about four months ago, and I still am doing my salt water soaks to keep it from being sore. I would appreciate any advice or thoughts you might have. My piercing was done by a member of the APP. Thank you again for your time, Dawn

Dawn, My goodness! That is slow healing--the VCH usually heals in closer to 4 weeks, not months! Have you tried changing your VCH jewelry or the care product you're using on it? After that long a period of time, I think something should be changed. Have you considered trying emu oil? It can be very effective for healing problem piercings (and those that are doing well, too). Are you wearing a bar or a ring? What material? I wouldn't say a history of a rejected sternum piercing is indicative a tendency toward troubled healing--surface piercings such as these often have problems. The VCH is another matter. If it is determined that your jewelry is of good quality, the piercing properly placed and cared for, then you simply may not be a good candidate for piercings. Here is a brief section from my book about piercing inverted nipples:

Loved your article in PAIN magazine this month. It still surprises me how many clients will ask if its ok to heal their piercings with rubbing alcohol or peroxide!! I had one girl ask if it was ok to put liquid bandage over her freshly pierced nipples!!
I don't offer surface percings in my studio because I have seen so many pictures of them rejecting but my friend is begging me to do the nape of his neck. Do you have any suggestions for the correct jewelry or tips for that piercing that would give me a better chance with not having it reject?

Hi Meghan,
Thanks for your email. I'm not big on surface piercings myself, but there is one area that I will routinely do: the nape of the neck! Though if the tissue is not pliable, I decline. If the skin pinches up well, I make a wide piercing (usually over an inch; generally 1 1/4") and insert Tygon tubing. I most commonly use 12 or 10 gauge.
There are some tricks to using it. Because the tubing is so flexible, it is kind of like trying to feed cooked spaghetti through a piercing, which obviously wouldn't be easy! So, I insert the tip of a small insertion taper (18 gauge) securely into the lumen of the tubing as far as it will go. This gives me a solid end that makes it easy to do the jewelry transfer.
Important note: Tygon tubing is sold by gauge but may not be the exact measurement of your needle of the same size. If the Tygon is marginally larger, you won't get it through the piercing unless you use a needle of the next larger gauge (or half-gauge).
To make the tubing into a barbell: depending on the size of the lumen, you can press-fit ornamental ends made for threadless body jewelry by Neometal. The 16 ga ends work great in the 14 gauge tubing.

A friend of mine who lives in Toronto just ordered a copy of The Piercing Bible and told me that Amazon.com is giving FREE SHIPPING when you pre-order my book from this link to Amazon.com.
Also they are giving a 32% discount off the cover price, which is amazing. If you own a body art studio or other retail business and wish to sell my book, you'd need to order 10 or more copies from my publisher to receive this a better discount, once the book is released in mid-March!

The changing of the calendar year is an opportunity for reflecting on the past year, and experiencing gratitude for the good things. It is also a wonderful chance to make a fresh start going forward into the new one. For me, 2008 was fantastic in part because it was the year I finally got my book deal to publish The Piercing Bible. That was a biggie (especially since I'd been working on the book for literally years already).
Keep your focus positive. Dreams do come true--I'm living proof!
Wishing everyone out there a joyful and peaceful 2009.

I just received some email from a woman who watched some videos of me performing piercings from here:

Hi Elayne,
I found a few videos that I needed to watch! I purchased the nipple piercing and the triangle piercing and enjoyed them very much. They are very honest and informative. I think that if a person with no piercings wanted to learn, they would see a correct representation of the process. For a person who already has piercings, there is plenty of great advice!

So, my videos are worth seeing, and they have something for you, whether you're new to piercings or already have some.

The Piercing Bible is on pre-sale The Piercing Bible is on pre-sale on Amazon.com at a 32% discount!
Regular cover price is $20.00, but you can get your copy for only $13.60 by placing your order early.
Order yours today!

I have a question. For surface piercings, which kind of barbells are suitable?

My reply: On some types of tissue and on certain areas of the body, it won't matter WHAT style of jewelry you use--the body simply won't accept jewelry in all locations. Here is an excerpt from The Piercing Bible about surface piercings:

I just wanted to take a moment to wish anyone who is out there lookin' in on this blog a very wonderful 2009. The changing year is a great opportunity to pause, take stock of ourselves, our actions, contributions, successes, and mistakes of the previous year, to experience gratitude for all the good stuff, and to make plans for the coming one. It is a great time for a fresh start and to establish resolutions that can lead to positive change. Don't just pop the cork on the champagne and chug it back; make the most of this time of transition by putting a little thought and effort into becoming the best YOU that you can be in 2009!